william stjs



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' A. WILLIAM sus, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

KNAPSACK.

.Specifica-tion forming part of Letters Patent No. 42,805, dated May 17,1864.

To all whom it may concern Beit known that I, A. WM.' SS, of the city, county, and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Knapsacks; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the same, referencebein g had to the accompanying drawings, makingpart of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a knapsack in a closed condition, illustrating my invention. Fig.'2 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is an outside view of the knapsack as opened. Fig. 4 is aplan exhibiting the interior construction of the knapsack.

Similar letters of .reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My presentinvention consists in a novel arrangement of straps, whereby the4 knapsack,

when folded up and applied to the back of the soldier, will be more eii'ectually prevented from causing discomfort a'nd fatigue, and by which the position of the knapsack may be readily varied, so as to shift the weight to different points, and admit of the requisite ventilation, all as will be hereinafter fully explained.

In order that others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains may be enabled tov fully understand and use the same, 1

will proceed to describe it.

Iuthe accompanying drawings, A may represent a knapsack composed of any desired impervious or water proof material, for the purpose of protecting its contents from rain and dampness. B B are the suspendingstraps, each ofv which at one end is securely fastened near the vertical center yand bottom of the knapsack A, as shown at b b, (the knapsack being referred to as in a closed condil tion.) At their opposite ends the straps B B may be -made detachable by means of buckles b" b', which are attached at points somewhat lower than the ends b b of the straps B B and nearer the 'sidesv of the knapsack. `A hook, b2, adapted to catch over a corresponding me. tallic loop, b3, may be employed in lieu of or in addition to the buckles b b, to facilitate the removal and application of the knapsack. B B represent short straps, which are also fastened near the bottom and each of the respective sides of the knapsack, and which, together with the straps B B, are securely riveted at b4 b'1 to the knapsack A, the points b being located at a distance vfrom the top equal to that which the ends b of the straps B occupy in relation to the bottom. The straps B, being thus attached, will serve to prevent the knapsack from working down to a lower position,

retain it in the proper vertical position in which it may be originally adjusted, and effectually obviate the sagging and the con- 'sequent injurious and fatiguing pressure upon G G represent straps which-are attached ton the front side of the knapsack, but in closer proximity with the top and/vertical center thereof than the rivets b4 b4 The straps B B are provided with hooks b5 b5, and the straps C C with a series of perforations, in order that when the knapsack is placed upon-the upper part of the back of the soldier it may be equally adjusted in position, said straps C C l also providing additional means for preventing the knapsack from causing fatigue and discomfort by pressing upon the loins.

D D represent perforated straps which are attached to the back ofthe knapsack and near each side thereof. By applying these straps DD to the hooks lbb5 the knapsack may be' turned up into such position as to form a rest or cushion for the musket, for the purpose ot' relieving the soldier from the direct contact of the arm with his neck vor back, the old Inethod being. to deposit the arm between the knapsack and the hack or neck, which incom modes and imparts an irksome-feeling to the soldier, and in some cases produccspainful iniiammationv by chaiing. 'lhe straps l) D also adapt the weight ot' the knapsack to be' provisions elfectually prevented from spoiling by Continued rain.

desire'to secure by Letters Patent tion with the straps U, C, the whole being attachedsub'stantially' as and for vthe purpose' set forth.

2.. The straps D D, attached inthe lmanner described, and employed for varying the po'- sition4 and shifting the Weight yof the kneltsnck, as and for the purpose explained.

The above specification of myimprovements r in knapsacks signed this 15th dazv ofAnril, 1. The suspending-straps B B, incombin'a.- .1864.

' i A. WM. SS.

, Witnesses: l l Re` H. MA'YHEW, C. L. DU B oI's. 

